5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014 Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice 24-28 August 2014 in Davos, Switzerland

1. Superstorm Sandy. Employing
Critical Communication Strategies.
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Tracy Morgan
Sierra Nevada Corporation, nContext
United States

2. Superstorm Sandy
$65 Billion in Damage

3. Communication Breakdowns
Occur During a Major Event

4. Unified Communication
Through Monitoring & Analysis

5. Prior to Superstorm Arrival

6. @RedCross: Use #RedCross for help.
We will be monitoring communication
24.7.
@FEMA: Warning! Major storm is
expected to hit NY & NJ. Use
#SandyHelp.

8. Red Cross Shelter
FEMA Shelter
Red Cross Shelter
Red Cross Shelter
Red Cross Shelter

9. @NYC911: If you live near a subway
stop, we’d appreciate condition
updates during storm.
Williamsburg Bridge
@RedCross:Storm ETA 24 hours.
Know at least 2 routes to your nearest
emergency shelter! #RedCross
Subway Stations
Holland Tunnel
Brooklyn Bridge
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
Subway Lines
Manhattan Bridge

10. @RedCross: @HomeOwner12 You are
located in a flood zone. Please
evacuate.
@FEMA: Click HERE to find out if your
home is in a flood plain.
@RedCross: Click HERE for a list of
recommended emergency supplies

11. During Superstorm

12. @FEMA: @HomeOwner12 You are
located in a flood zone. Please
evacuate.
@FEMA: Find out if your home is in a
flood plain. www.nycfloodzone.com.
@RedCross: Our recommended
emergency supplies list is here!
www.supplylist.com.
@Twitterer2: All lanes closed at
Holland Tunnel due to flooding
#Sandy
@Commuter32: Subway service to
lower Manhattan suspended due to
Flooding (All lines)

13. @Twitterer2: All lanes closed at
Holland Tunnel due to flooding
#Sandy
@Commuter32: Subway service to
lower Manhattan suspended due to
Flooding (All lines)
@Tenant42: @RedCross House
flooding. Where is nearest shelter?
#RedCross
Holland Tunnel
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
Williamsburg Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
Subway Lines

14. @FirstResponder: Is Williamsburg
Bridge navigable?
@Tweeter1234: @RedCross House
flooding. Where is nearest shelter?
@RedCross: @Tweeter1234 NYC Tech
College, Beds, food, water available.
@HomeOwner11: Lights Flickering.
73 Williamsburg Bridge
39
57
@Tweeter9876: Yes but only one lane
open on Williamsburg Bridge.
Subway Lines
@BreakingNews: Subway not
recommended to leave Lower
Manhattan.
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
Brooklyn Bridge

15. Post Superstorm

16. @HomeOwner11: Still no power.
@Wallflower: Suspicious activity at
555East 2nd St. Possible Looting
@HomeOwner22: In the dark.
Thankfully packed batteries.
@Commuter32: Everywhere near NY
Tech College sold out of gas.
Holland Tunnel
@BreakingNews: Road leading into
Holland Tunnel washed out.
57
Williamsburg Bridge
Subway Lines
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
Brooklyn Bridge

17. @RedCross: Food, Water, and Beds
Available.
@FEMA: @Commuter32: Updated list
of stations with fuel:
www.nycfuel.com.
@PowerCompany: @HomeOwner11
Crew in your vicinity, estimate power
restored in 2 hours.
@NYC911: Police Responding.
@NYCtransit: All lanes reopened on
Williamsburg Bridge.
57
Holland Tunnel
Williamsburg Bridge
@NYCtransit: Subway service remains Brooklyn Bridge
suspended.
Subway Lines
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel

18. Lessons Learned
Social Media as a Sensor:
• New form of communication for Emergency Managers.
• Integration of Social Media data with critical infrastructure layer reveals new
insights.
• Numerous data layers in a common operating picture enables execution of
communication before, during, and after an event.
• The more participants in Social Media, the higher the resolution of the data.
• Social Media data provides governmental entities, first responders, and relief
organizations a robust means of communication with the general public.
• Capitalizes on the natural desire of individuals to share information during
emergencies.
Other Uses:
• Private companies could leverage a similar system to achieve different goals,
such as: Fraud prevention, resource allocation, and prioritization of restoration of
services.

19. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Tracy Morgan
Tracy.Morgan@nContext.com
www.nContext.com